| Neon Tetra fish (Paracheirodon innesi) are a very | | | | As a general rule of thumb when choosing a fish |
| popular aquarium fish, especially amongst beginner | | | | tank for your fish, allow one gallon of water per |
| fish keepers. It is estimated that each month, 1.5 | | | | inch of fish. So if you were going to keep ten |
| million neon tetra fish are imported into the United | | | | neon tetras in your tank, you would need to |
| States, mostly from Singapore, Hong Kong, or | | | | select at least a ten gallon tank for your fish. An |
| Thailand. | | | | aquarium kit or aquarium starter kit is a great |
| Neon tetra fish are a freshwater fish that | | | | way to purchase everything you need to get |
| originate from western Brazil, south east Columbia | | | | started for a very reasonable price. The aquarium |
| and eastern Peru. They are found in their natural | | | | kit will often include a filter, water conditioner, fish |
| environment in both blackwater and clearwater | | | | tank and fish food at a minimum. |
| streams. They have bright colors and an | | | | When setting up your tank for your new neon |
| iridescent stripe so they are visible in dark | | | | tetra, try to mimic their natural habitat. Your |
| blackwaters. | | | | aquarium should have a dark colored gravel and |
| Like other tetra species, the neon tetra has a | | | | dense planting, with plenty of hiding spots. Also |
| blunt nose and a spindle shaped body. A glistening | | | | allow an open space for swimming. Neon tetra |
| blue line runs along either the side of their body | | | | fish are active when kept in a shoal, and will |
| from the nose to the adipose fin. They also have | | | | spend the majority of their time in the middle to |
| a red stripe that runs from the center of the | | | | lower levels of your tank. Adding a floating plant |
| body to the base of the tail fin. The rest of the | | | | to your habitat will help to darken your aquarium |
| body is silver in color. | | | | which your fish will love. |
| At night, when the fish is resting in shelter, the | | | | Keep the water temperature in your tank to |
| bright colors will be turned off and the fish will | | | | between 68 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH |
| appear dim. This is normal. If however, the | | | | levels in the tank should be between 5.0 and 7.0, |
| aquarium is lit and the fish are still dull after some | | | | and the dH range 1-2. As with all fish species |
| time, they may be stressed or ill, or their diet is | | | | always gradually adjust your neon tetra fish to |
| not correct. | | | | new conditions. Failing to do so can cause harm to |
| Neon tetras are a schooling fish. They should be | | | | your fish. |
| kept in groups of at least five, but preferably ten | | | | Neon tetra fish are not fussy eaters. Feeding |
| or more. If kept alone they will become stressed | | | | them flake food, freeze dried food and frozen |
| and spend the majority of their time hiding. They | | | | food is all acceptable. Vary their diet to prevent |
| will grow to a maximum adult size of about an | | | | malnutrition. Use a variety of high quality tropical |
| inch. They are a peaceful fish and can be kept in | | | | flake food and occasionally as treats brine shrimp, |
| community fish tanks with other non-aggressive | | | | bloodworm and daphnia, as an example. |
| fish of roughly the same size. The neon tetra is | | | | Groups of neon tetras are naturally very beautiful |
| probably the most robust of the tetra species | | | | to watch in an aquarium owing to their bright, |
| when it comes to water conditions. They look | | | | glistening colors. They are a great fish to keep as |
| very beautiful when combined with other species | | | | they are peaceful and can be more decorative |
| of tetra. It is not recommended to combine the | | | | than wall paintings and mesmerising than the |
| neon tetra with any larger or more aggressive | | | | television when kept in your living room! |
| fish as they will most likely become prey. | | | | |